Iran, IAEA Talks Begin

Talks between Iranian authorities and U.N. nuclear agency officials have started in Vienna, as a major U.S. newspaper reports that Iran has repeatedly violated maritime law in a bid to sidestep international sanctions imposed due to its controversial nuclear program.

International Atomic Energy Agency officials are expected to press Iran for access to the Parchin military site near Tehran during their two days of talks. Iran has not yet granted U.N. requests to visit the facility, where officials suspect Iran has built a container for explosives tests.

Western diplomats say they suspect Iran is buying time to remove any incriminating evidence before they allow U.N. inspectors inside the facility.

Talks between Tehran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany are set for May 23 in Baghdad. The six world powers, known as the P5+1, are seeking to assess the possible military capability of Iran’s nuclear sites.